HD Install :: My  new DSL PC



When DSL is installed as a frugal or poorman's install, it takes up approximately 50MB of hard disk / CF space.

The file system remains in a read-only state, so you will need to store your backup and customization on the hard drive/ cf drive too.

Frugal install is the best way to go if you are using compact flash as your storage drive.

Why?

Because the file system is read-only, your device will not be exposed to constant writing of data.

Flash memory has a limited number of writes before it will fail so it is a good idea to avoid things like Cache directories and swapfiles / swap partitions on a flash drive.  Otherwise, your device will fail after a short period of use.

My advice is to get a 256MB or 512MB CF card.  They are the best bang-for-your-buck without completely emptying your wallet. 128MB cards are not much cheaper than 256MB cards and the 1GB cards are still too expensve for my tastes.

So, in summary:

Use a frugal install

Get a 256MB or 512MB compact flash card.
I run DSL frugal from a 128CF and another one on 512CF. 128CF will do, but I have not filled up the 512CF as of yet.
I have 128MB of ram for both of those, and it does just fine with my 199Mhz PC.
Hey there,
I've been trying to make DSL boot from compact flash for 3days but I still can't pass throught a kernel panic error. Could you explain how you could make it work?
???

Edit:  sorry I posted too quickly and maybe I'll find my solution there : http://damnsmalllinux.org/cgi-bin....6;st=10
I just got the mini-ITX system with 512 CF, but I keep getting error  messages- and I don't know/understand enough to either not worry about them, or how to fix them... I've also been trying to figure out how to upgrade to 1.0.1, any help would be appreciated. TIA
The error messages are:
modprobe: Can't locate module block-major-20  (at bootup)
then a message about recommending e2fsck I didn't write down

then these last two at shutdown -which are the scary ones for me
insmod: /lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apm.o: init_module: No such device
insmod: /lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apm.o: insmod char-major-10-134 failed
(at which point I have to power off manually)
Hmm...

try boot parameter

dsl noapm acpi=off noapic
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original here.